Condensing apparatus



C. E. LUCKE CONDENSING APPARATUS Filed Ausl. 5, 1925 17515.30/ @w if March 13, 1928.

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Patented. Mar. 13, 1928.A

AUNITED STATES f PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. LUCXiE, OF NEW ',YOBK,

N. Y., ASSIGNOR` TO WORTH'INGTON PUMP .AND

MACHINERY CORPORATION, `02|? YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 0E VIRGINIA.

coND'nNsING APPARATUS.

Application led August 5, 1925. Serial No. 48,239.

This invention relates to steam condensers ofthe surfacetype, the especial object of the invention being to provide a construction of high. vacuum surfacel condenser adapted es- 5 pecially for large sizes, in which each of the condenser tubes shall contribute the maximum area possible'o to active condensation of steam and thus reduce to avminimum the total tube surface requiredfor a given rate HP of steam per hour. j y

In carrying out the invention, -I aim especially to minimizethe pressure drop between the tubes in lthe steam and air zones by a short path and'by causing the steam f5 tosweep all the tube surfaces substantially equally, ,so as to prevent any sluggish flow in any region,-and to equalize the pressure drop across the steam ow`paths between the tubes throughout the condenser by making these steam paths substantially .equal in flowresistance. I aim, also, to present to the incoming steam a large percentage of the total condenser tubes so as to secure the maximumpof condensing activity and to make this percentage of tubes presented to the incoming steam substantially constant and independent of the size of the condenser.

In attaining these specificobjects, thev condenser tubes are disposed in the form of a belt through which the steam passes from one side to the-other, the flow resistance through this belt being uniform so that the steam will not pass through portions of the belt more freely than through other portions. The tubes in thebelt ma be uniform in number and spacing of tu esfrom the entrance side to the exit side, orthe tubes may be spaced more closely on the exit. side, it being necessary only that the flow resistance from the inlet to the outlet side should be the same throughout the length ofthe belt.

Other means, however, may be employed for securing the uniform resistance to iow across the belt that is important for Securing the result of uniform iiow-v and maximum condensation fromeaclr of the tubes. This desired result of uniform low and maximum condensation from each of the tubes may be secured by a thinner belt of tubes closely spaced or a thicker belt of tubes more widely spaced and the belt need not be continuous throughout the condenser,A but may be inter: rupted by a plate or plates and the uniform flow resistance through the active portion of the tube belt still be maintained.- The belt will preferably be formed in folds or `convolutions to provide large tube area withinacertain condenser dimension with free admission of steam to a large percentage of the tube surface, and these folds or convolutions may be of any suitable shape and adapted to a shell of any desired form. The folds or convolutions will be so arranged as to provide equal access of steam to all the tubes of the outer row on the steam side of the belt and so as to provide equal freedom of escape of airfrom all the tubes on the outlet or air side of the belt. It is preferable that all steam flow areas should be proportioned to the number of tubes supplied by steam from any particular section of the steam flow passage, so that the steam `vvelocity will be the same in entering the tube belt and likewise the air spaces between the tube folds will preferably be widest at the exit end of the air passage, which aids in securing a compact construction and reducing the total size of the condenser.

In accordancewith the present invention, the general features described above are arranged in such a manner as to provide for free access of steam to thexcondensate water falling from the tube bank to the hot-well, and means are provided below the tube bank for dividing up the falling condensate so as to secure the thorough heating of the condensate on its way to the hot-well by the admiXture of steam with the divided or sprayed falling condensate. The air also is taken `of from the tube bank so that the condensate is delivered as near the temperature\of the exhaust steam as possible. The arrangement of the tube bank and air oli'- take, also,`is such that air separated out by condensation of the steam is taken off above the condensate spray plate with the free passage of air to the air oi'take from the entire bank of tubes, so as to avoid the increase of the air partial pressure in the hot-well and thev lowering of the temperature of the condensate by contact with such air. The division of the condensate by this spray or rain plate also aids in extraction of the air from the condensate and reduces the amount of air that may be carried into the hot-well with the condensate. I preferably provide also for elicient cooling of the air and further condensation of vapors passing from the tube bank with the air, by combining with the tube bank an air cooler within the condenser.

For a full understanding of the invention, there are shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification forms of coiidensers embodying my invention in preferred forms, and these constructions will now be described in detail and the features forming the invention then be speeifically pointed out in the claims.

In t e drawings- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view showing a simple form of condenser embodying the broader features of the invention;

Figures 2, il and 4 are views similar to Fig. 1, showing modified forms of the same general character as the condenser of Fig. 1, but with provision for admission of steam to the liet-well on both sides of the tube bank.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are similar views, showing modified forms with an air cooler combined with the tube bank and spray plate.

Figures 8 and 8a are details of the plate` perforations.

Referring now to the drawings, A is the condenser shell, B the steam inlet, .C ythe hot-well, and a the air offtake, preferably consisting of a slotted or perforated pipe connected outside the casing to the usual air ejector or vacuum pump of any forni. Tube belt D, as shown in Fig. 1, is a shallow continuous bank of tubes, shown as of uniform depth, in which casethe spacing of the tubes preferably will be uniform throughout the length of the belt so as to secure uniform flow resistance throughout the belt. The tube belt is formed in several folds or con- Volutions, the steam inlet spaces 10 preferably being of decreasing width between the folds according` to the extent of the tube belt to be supplied with steam from the different sections of the inlet passage, thus securing a more compact construction and aiding in securing a uniform flow through the belt, and the air passages 11 on the opposite side of the belt from the steam spaces will preferably expand inereasin in size toward the outlet, for free flow o air. It will be understood, however, that it is necessary only that the air spaces should be such as to secure the prompt and free flow of air from the outlet side of the tube belt.

It is not necessary that the number and spacing of the tubes should be uniform from inlet to outlet side of the belt, and in some cases it may be desirable to place the tubes nearer each other on the outlet side or to gradually decrease the tube s aeing from the inlet to the outlet side, or ot ierwise provide for less free flow on the outlet side than on the inlet side of the belt. The decrease in tube spacing toward the outlet side allows for the steam condensed nearer the inlet side and the. maximum condensation from each tube is thus secured with a large tube surface in the same condenser dimensions or with a reduction in condenser size.

In the construction shown iii Fig. l, one end of the tube belt joins the casing above the air ottake a and the opposite end of the belt joins a perforated or slotted plate b arranged at the bottom of the condenser above the hot-well, this spray or rain plate b joining the casing on the air offtake side of the condenser. so that the air offtake a. is enclosed by the tube belt and spray plate. The tube bank formed by the belt is separated from the casing on the opposite side from the air ofi'takc a, so as to leave steam space 12 extending to the bottom of the casing and below the spray plate b, thus supplying heating exhauststeani through the condensat(I falling in divided or spray condition from the spray plate b. The pei'forations or slots fin the plate b must be sealed or of such chai'- acter that the resistance to the air flow through them will be in'excess of the steam resistance to the steam flowthrough the tube bank, so as to avoid short-circuiting the steam through the plate to the air chamber and air otftake a. As shown in Fig. 8, the perforations shown diagrammatically in the other figures, ai'e sealed by being enclosed in a trap kept filled Vwith the condensate and from which the water overflows through the perforation. Fig. 8 shows a form suitable for. the horizontal plates b, in which the plate opening is scaled by a rim 2 covered by a cap 3. Fig. 8 shows a form suitable for vertical or inclinedportions of a plate b, in which the overflow is from a trough 4 enclosing the opening 1.

In'Fig. 2 the construction is the saine as iny Fig. l, except that the two ends of the tube belt D are connected to the spray plate b at opposite sides of the latter and steam passages 12 are provided at/ opposite sides of the belt for the passage` of steam to the space below the spray plate and the hot-well. ln this construction, the air ottake is shown as arranged between the central portion ofthe tube bank and'spray plate.

The construction shown in Fig. 8 is substantiall the same as that shown in Fig. 2, except t at the lowerI rtion of the condenser casing is bow aped, curving into the liet-well, and the spray-plate I) iscorrespondingly curved and of greater-length.

The construction shown in Fig. 4 employs two tube belts D arranged on opposite sides of the condenser, each enclosing its air ofi'- take a, and the ends of the two tube belts are connected to the two spray plates 7i. b arranged one above the4 other at the bottorn of the condenser, so that the two tube belts D and the two spray plates b, b enclose the air oitakes, steam spaces 12 for lll supply of steam below the spray plates and to the hot-well being provided between each tube bank and the casing.

Fig. 5 shows a construction similar` to Fig. 2, but with the tube bank D arranged in a circular condenser so as to leave space for an air chamber of considerable size above the spray plate and this air chamber contains an air cooler 11i covered by a plate 15 preferably of V-form, as shown, which acts to exclude the falling condensate from the air cooler, the air passing from the air chamber upward around the lower edges of the plate 13 to the air oiftake a.

The construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7 are of the same general character shown in Fig. 5, but with the tube bank and air cooler modified somewhat in form, and the condenser casing of the rectangular type, 'the construction in Fig. 7 being similar to that shown in Fig. 4in providing a large central steam space for admission of the steam to the folds of the tube belt arranged on opposite sides of the condenser.

It will be understood that the condensate spray plate may be used with other arrangements of tubes and is thus claimed, and that all features of the invention may be embodied in many other constructions differ'- ing in form and arrangement from those shown, and that the invention is not to be limited to the constructions illustrated', but includes all other constructions within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a steam condenser, a tube bank consisting of a shallow belt of tubes extending between the exhaust inlet and air outlet, and a condensate spray plate extending over the lower part of the condenser, said tube belt being arranged to provide space for the passage of exhaust steam to the lower side of the spray plate.

2. In a steam condenser, a tube bank consisting of a shallow belt of tubes extending between the exhaust inlet and air outlet and arranged in folds providing steam spaces on the inlet sides of the folds and air spaces on the exit sides of the folds, and a condensate spray plate extending from one end of the tube belt over the lower part of the condenser, said tube belt being arranged to provide for the passage of exhaust steam to the lower side of the spray plate, and means for preventing the iow of steam through the spray plate from its lower side.

3. In a steam condenser, a tube bank consisting of a shallow belt of tubes extending l between the exhaust inlet and air outlet and arranged in folds providing steam spaces on the inlet sides of the folds and air spaces on the exit sides of the folds, and a condensate spray plate. extending over the lower part of the condenser, said tube belt being arranged to provide contracting steam spaces on the inlet sides of the folds and expanding air spaces on the exit sides of the folds.

4. In a steam condenser, a tube bank consisting of a shallow belt of tubes extending between the exhaust inlet and air outlet, a condensate spray plate extending fromone end of the tube belt over the lower part of the condenser, said tube belt being arranged to provide space for the passage of exhaust steam to the lower side of the spray plate, and an air offtake on the outlet side of the tlbe belt enclosed by' the tube belt and'spray p ate.

5. In a steam condenser, a tube bank extending between the exhaust inlet and air outlet, and a condensate spray plate extending over the lower part of the condenser, said tube bank being arranged to provide space for the passage of exhaust steam between the casing and tube bank to the lower side of the spray plate. c

6. In a steam condenser, a tube bank extending between the exhaust inlet and air outlet and a condensate spray plate extending over the lower part of the condenser,

said tube bank being arranged to provide for the passage of exhaust steam to the lower side of the spray plate, and means for preventing the flow of steam through the spray plate from its lower side.

7. In a steam condenser, a tube bank extending between the exhaust inlet and air outlet, a condensate spray plate extending over the lower part of the condenser, said tube bank being arranged to provide space for the passage of exhaust steam between the casing and tube bank to the lower side of the spray plate, and an air olftake on the outlet side of the tube bank enclosed by the tube bank and spray plate.

8. In a steam condenser, a tube bank extending between the exhaust inlet and air outlet, and a condensate spray plate extending over the lower part of the condenser, said tube bank and spray platebeing arranged to provide a steam space surroundspace between the spray plate and conden-4 sate outlet.

In testimony whereof, have hereunto set m hand.

y CHARLES E. LUCKE.- 

